What was your epidural experience like?

juls427 · August 2014

This may be TMI but I need some insight from other moms who had epidurals with previous vaginal births. My son was born vaginally in 2011 with no complications (thank God!). The only negative experience I can remember from the whole thing was hours after delivery when I had a painful urge to urinate but didn't yet have control of my muscles down there so I couldn't get relief. I tried and tried to pee even with the nurse's assistance but I was never fully relieved and kept having to call the nurse back into my room to help me. I remember the first attempt I still couldn't even use my legs and the nurse practically had to carry me to the bathroom. Then subsequent attempts the nurse stuck a bucket under me while still sitting in the hospital bed. Still nothing. In the end I ended up demanding a catheter. I filled up a bucket and a half full of urine! I later told this story to my MIL who is a nurse and she said if I didn't get the catheter I could have went into shock! My question is: was there something I should have done to prevent that? I got my epidural upon arrival to the hospital. I was 5cm when I arrived and was in "labor" for 13 hours only 30 minutes of which was actively pushing. During that wait time should I have been going to the bathroom? I guess I thought that once you get the epidural you are restricted to the bed. I would be interested to hear everyone's comments so I'm better prepared for baby #2. Thanks!!

BackseatDriver · August 2014

I had a catheter once I had the epidural. I'm not sure when it was removed but it was removed at some point. I didn't have trouble peeing in recovery. They wanted me to pee not long after getting to the recovery room from what I can remember. The nurse helped me transfer because my legs were still wobbly.

ellasmama18 · August 2014

Yes I think they give you a catheter with epidural. I had this same problem with baby #1. The nurses were in top if it though. Kept giving me liquids. Kept asking if I had peed. I ended up with another catheter too because I couldn't. 1000cc's of pee later...they couldn't believe it! after that I was fine. It did not happen to me the second time around. All that to say, I don't think there's much you can do to prevent it. But maybe it won't happen this time.

Mrs_Bennett · August 2014

I've had two epidurals, and had a catheter inserted immediately with each one. The catheter was removed when I started pushing, so it wasn't too much longer after that that they removed the epidural and I was able to get up and use the restroom.
IMO, the catheter was one of the worst parts of having an epidural! I hate the feeling of it, and was able to continue feeling it until it was removed. My first epidural very effective; my second, not so much.

LaBellaVida · August 2014

I got a catheter placed with each epidural. My last two pregnancies they removed it after I peed, and placed another one shortly after delivery.

My first one they placed it and left it in the whole time.

nah82 · August 2014

My nurse gave me a catheter after the epidural was administered. Yours should have too, not sure why they didn't? That is a long time to go without using the bathroom and with an epidural you really can't physically get up and walk to a toilet. It was removed not long after baby was born (as far as I can remember, I know it was before the epi was fully worn off) and I was able to get up and use the bathroom.

Maebb · August 2014

I had an epidural, and I also had a catheter and a bag of saline going into my uterus (placenta? The part where DS was) to flush out the nastiness because there was meconium, and the doctor didn't want DS to aspirate it.

The actual experience of getting the epidural put in was fine. I am not too squeamish about needles, and the anesthesiologist was good. It got put in around 3am, and DS was born at 5:25. It reduced the pain, but I still was able to feel my legs and feel the pressure and the urge to push. I don't remember when I first got up to walk around after that, but we got transferred to a room around 9am, and I was definitely walking around with my parents visiting around 10am. Peeing unassisted was not an issue. Sorry you had a bad experience last time.

YaMrWhite · August 2014

Another who got a catheter. The nurse let me try to pee on my own but I couldn't get anything to go so catheter it was. And boy did I go after that!

BookitBoo · August 2014

I got an epidural with an emergency c-section. They have me a catheter, and I didn't have it removed until I could get up and pee on me own (like 3 the next afternoon). They had to remove blood clots before I could get up to pee and even after that a majority of what I passed was blood clots.

juls427 · August 2014

Yes...didn't pee the whole time! By the looks of everyone's comments I should have had the catheter in way before when the epidural was done! instead of 13 hours later! Thanks for the comments!

juls427 · August 2014

Now I'm actually kind of mad the staff let me go that long without one! But the past is the past you live and learn!

brickcitylove · August 2014

FTM. Threads like this are what my nightmares are made of. Giant needles. Tubes up the urethra. No feeling or control. :::shudder:::

You are all SO much braver than me. (That is not sarcasm in the least. Promise.)

Beauxbaton · August 2014

Mine went well. I don't think I was cathed the whole time. But I think they came in and ran a cath every few hours. I didn't have any issues peeing afterwards. And I could walk pretty soon afterwards too. The nurses should have cathed you.

Edvent · August 2014

ICarriedAWatermelon said:

brickcitylove said:
FTM. Threads like this are what my nightmares are made of. Giant needles. Tubes up the urethra. No feeling or control. :::shudder:::

You are all SO much braver than me. (That is not sarcasm in the least. Promise.)
Omg, it was wonderful. Loved my epidural. The needle isn't giant and only a plastic tube is left in place in your back. And I never felt a thing w the Foley catheter.

I ditto this, I had to get the catheter way before my epidural because I was on magnesium for preeclampsia and wasn't allowed to get up. I was nervous about it but it was no big deal. My epidural was also amazing, didn't feel a thing (not really even a pinch or pressure) and got immediate relief!

kk2under2 · August 2014

I feel like you should have received the catheter shortly after the epidural. That's how it worked for me... The nurse explained I would have to stay in bed after receiving it and would get a catheter to help go pee. I had it in for a few hours after until I could stand on my own and use the bathroom by myself and had all sensation back!

The epidural wasnt so bad to actually get just kind of an intense moment and the guy doing it was quiet and kind of uncomfortable and I couldn't stop trembling and chattering my teeth from the contractions. It helped me sleep and made the pushing experience amazing as I wasn't exhausted. To be honest the worst part is when she inserted the IV into my vein in my hand. It was so bruised after and painful! To be honest I can't remember much except after he was born! But I remember those small details!

LuckyPenny1231 · August 2014

It does seem really weird that you didn't get a catheter? I got one shortly after my epidural as well. It was removed shortly after baby was born and I had no problems getting up and using the bathroom 1.5 hours after birth. Although my epidural was turned down and started to wear off in order to push so maybe that's why I felt normal so soon.

But definitely get a catheter! And thanks to the epidural I didn't feel them place the catheter at all!

Jellybean707 · August 2014

I had a great epidural experience. My labor stalled out 24 hours after my water broke. When they checked me at the 24 hr mark I was at 4 1/2. At that point I opted for epidural and pitocin to get things moving. I took a nap and 3 hrs later I was fully dialated and ready to push.

I could feel when I needed to push and didn't feel paralyzed or anything like that. I also had a catheter put in with the epidural and hardly noticed it. My son was delivered by a CNM and she was supportive of my decision. While I am trying for a natural delivery with this one, I would be open to an epidural again if I stall out or have issues like before.

Jellybean707 · August 2014

brickcitylove said:
FTM. Threads like this are what my nightmares are made of. Giant needles. Tubes up the urethra. No feeling or control. :::shudder:::

You are all SO much braver than me. (That is not sarcasm in the least. Promise.)

Honestly, it wasn't nearly as bad as it sounds. I could still feel. I felt pressure and the contractions. I just wasn't feeling the pain anymore. It was great.

I had a lot of anxiety with #1 too. All the "needles and tubes and what if I poop" and so on. But once you're in the moment all that fades away and you don't really care. You just birth your baby.

tripletoe · August 2014

I had a catheter. I also got an awful uti afterwards, which is the last thing you want to deal with when your lady bits already hurt! I felt my epidural slowed my progression as well. It only worked on my left side and then it took about 4 hours for feeling to return to my left thigh. I really hope to avoid it this time, fingers crossed that I do not have to be induced again. All that being said, I know many people who had positive epidural experiences.

chante123 · August 2014

I had an epidural @ 7cm with my first, the catheter was placed in imedently afterwards.. I had full feeling in my legs, the catheter came out when the pushing process began.

robsbabygirl08 · August 2014

I got an epidural with DD and a catheter. I got really good relief from my epidural for about 3 hours. My Dr was going to call anesthesia in to check my epidural since it had completely worn off ( yes, I was pushing the button). But he told me to do a practice push and three pushes later my DD was here. I had them take my catheter out as soon as my episiotomy was stitched up, it was bothering me. Within an hour I was up and walking to the bathroom with no issues peeing.

nolansmom08 · August 2014

My epidural was my best friend. The IV was by far the worst part for both of my deliveries so far. And, I had to have the epidural done 2x with my first baby because he hit a vein the first time. Even still I had no hesitation to get it the second time.

Eyefrog · August 2014

I haven't had a catheter each time...first time yes with a full epidural as I didn't feel anything below. The rest once my epidural was put in they would do the i think there is a professional name for it but I want to call it a stick and dip, i would feel the need and they would place it. now with #4 it took awhile for me to get the pee sensation likely because I had emptied out just before delivery. I doubt it will happen to you a second time

Stargirlb · August 2014

Extremely amazing and positive... Because I didn't have one! *points to Birth Trophy case*

jennyhatt · August 2014

Stargirlb said:
Extremely amazing and positive... Because I didn't have one! *points to Birth Trophy case*

LOL. Such a shit disturber. I wonder who's going to bite.....

Stargirlb · August 2014

Is a slowwww day....

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